Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Peanutty Ice-Box Cake

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Albert Einstein is attributed with saying, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Sometimes. Maybe. Confused might be a better word for the robin who spends all day, every day, diving into the large bank of windows that front our home. This has gone on for days now, and while we've done everything we can think of to ward him off, he'll keep at it until nesting season is over or he is concussed and falls from the sky. This happens every year and I'm always amazed these confused souls make it through mating season with their small brains intact. I mention this only because I can no longer deny my own recidivist tendencies. The delivery of locally raised meat forced me to access the contents of my auxiliary freezer. A quick inventory revealed that it was packed to the rafters and there was no room for the meat. This, too, happens every year and it's a good thing that Albert isn't around 'cause we all know what he'd say. After some mild cursing, deep digging and inventory analysis, I made space for the meat. The only bizarre aspect of the episode was my freezer wasn't jam-packed with meat or vegetables or survival staples. It was packed to the rafters with bread, berries and nuts. If ever there is a shortage of freezer jam stop by. I have enough of it to feed a small country. At any rate, tucked among the nuts was an embarrassingly large stash of peanuts. So, as you probably have already guessed, I'll be exploring recipes for peanuts for the next few days, and think I'll call the exercise Nuts to You Week in honor of Albert Einstein.

While many would call this a refrigerator cheesecake, I think it's more like an old-fashioned Charlotte or an ice-box cake. While it contains cream cheese, its texture is mousse-like and completely different than that of a cheesecake. The recipe, which comes from The Peanut Institute, is one of the easiest I've ever come across and even beginning cooks will be able to make it successfully. The Silver Fox made the cake that I photographed for this post. I've made no changes to the original recipe, but I do have a couple of suggestions should you decide to make it. I freeze the cake and slice it while it is frozen. This mousse-like cake is very soft, and in a perfect world it would benefit from the infusion of a bit of gelatin. The use of gelatin would, however, move the cake from its super easy status, so freezing it is the way to go if you want clean slices. Once it's cut, it has enough substance to stand on its own without drooping. I let the frozen slices sit in the refrigerator for an hour or so before serving. If I'm in a real rush 30 minutes at room temperature will also do the trick. This obviously is not gourmet fare, but it's a really nice dessert that's suitable for guests as well as family. If you like peanut butter desserts, you'll love this one. Here's the recipe.

We have a robin that does that every year. Well, I've decided it is the same robin. Anyway, it just upsets me so when he hits the window. Your icebox cake is so pretty and it sounds like it is the perfect dessert for a hot summer day or any day.

"If you love peanut butter?" Am amazed that someone would not be craving this. Must check my freezer for peanuts! Rich and satisfying and you know I love ease. And note to self: check freezer before ordering meat.

The cake looks amazing! Refrigerated cheesecake, ice box cake, whatever you call it, I'd eat the whole thing!!Chris and I were just talking about how we wished we had room for a big freezer. With the cost of meat continually going up, it would be well worth it. Oh, and if I lived closer, I'd take some of the freezer jam off your hands :)

I'm going to have Andrew read this post. He thinks we are the only ones with packed freezers. He also might make this cake since there a large tin of Virginia peanuts nestled among the other necessities in said freezers. We have an abundance of crusty bread on ice. Perhaps we should meet somewhere--you and your jam and me and my bread. Anyone out there with an abundance of sweet butter wanting to come along?

I love easy desserts like this, especially in the hot summer months when I don't want to bake.If I lived close to you Mary, I'd be over for some of your freezer jam; it's the best tasting jam there is.

Is the first time I come to your blog as a nominee of Rita Bembons I'm loving. You have very good recipes and pictures are beautiful. This should be congratulated. Sorry, but I can not write well english, I hope I did understand. A good day for you. KissesJosy

The whole peanut story is hysterical, Mary, but good thing you'll be coming up with peanut recipes because I love peanuts. And this pie is wow! I want a slice now. Creamy, peanutty, you don't even need the crust, just pass me a spoon. Fabulous!

That looks so good. I love everything that has to do with peanuts and peanut butter (or any type of nut) and this is a must try. And I have to say, I'm really looking forward to your future nuttiness as you eat away at your peanut supply :).

Mary, this would be a refreshing cake!! Our Germans friends who always had trouble with birds flying into the windows, but large silouettes of blackbirds made out of black paper on the inside of the windows. It seemed to help to scare the birds away. But on the other hand, this happens all the time, so I guess the birds just have to learn the hard way!!!

Hello Mary, I got to know your blog through the blog today and of course Ana Rita came ca see your recipes, I was a fan, you have wonderful recipes, so I have to say thanks to Ana Rita for having given you to know, because I go back many and often more, since you then go'm watching the news.

Ha, Ha, I'm glad I'm not the only one with a packed freezer! I think its the sign of a person who really loves to cook. :) This ice box cake looks fantastic. Perfect now that the weather is getting warmer!

I've never "met" an ice-box cake that I didn't totally enjoy, Mary. And by all means, I mean yours too!!! It sounds amazing! Thanks for adding that piece about even a novice can do it:)

Love the title of your week too. How cool is that???

As for your robin dilemma, I've never "met" one of those that I haven't liked but I know exactly what you mean. When I lived in New York, the same thing happened all the time. To my chagrin, too many went by the way of concussed...

I'm a huge fan of anything nutty, this is tempting my taste buds, unlike you though.. I have zero items in my freezer... I have this fear that if I stock up, it will go to waste...I'm a daily shopper, otherwise I end up throwing so much away... I think because my schedule will be lax one week and super busy the next...

Mary thanks for stopping by and your wonderful words about my food :) I totally want you (please) to send this cake as an entry for my Crazy for Cake event- It's new, innovative and absolutely gorgeous! Here is the link - I've provided a linky tool - Do me the honor :)http://priyasnowserving.blogspot.com/2011/02/announcing-second-guest-event.html

Your blog is so lovely! I'm not sure how you found mine, but I am so glad you did because now I have found you. This recipe is a lot like one my family makes and I adore it. What could be better than chocolate and peanut butter. I look forward to more wonderful recipes.

Site Meter

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third-parties nor does it store information about your visit for use other than to analyze content performance through the use of cookies, which you can turn off at anytime by modifying your Internet browser's settings. Third party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a a users prior visits to this website. Google's use of the DoubleClick cookie enables it and its partners to serve ads. This blog is not responsible for the republishing of the content found here on other Web sites or media without the owners permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice